IMPACT
2018 Annual Report
The Forest Foundation launched several key partnerships and campaigns in 2018, making the year one of its most productive yet. Under the Results Framework launched in 2017, the Foundation’s main goal is the protection and sustainable management of Philippine forests and biodiversity, which will be accomplished through four main objectives: grow forests, grow livelihoods, grow partnerships, and grow advocates. This is being implemented in the Foundation’s focal landscapes: Sierra Madre, Palawan, Samar and Leyte, and Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental.
Grant Program: Project Highlights
Multi-Stakeholders Approach to the Sustainable Management of the Quirino Forest Landscape
The Foundation awarded a grant to the Sustainable Environment for Rural Development Association, an organization under the Quirino State University, to facilitate collaboration among stakeholders in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. This multi-year project aims to capacitate CBFMA holders, establish reforestation farms, and declare select natural forests as community watersheds.
Leyte Sab-a Peatland Forest Restoration Initiative Project
The Foundation awarded a grant to the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction to protect, restore, and manage the ecosystem services of the 1,286-hectare Leyte Sab-a Basin Peatland Forests. The implementing partners include the Visayas State University, Environmental Legal Assistance Center, the DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), local government, and relevant communities.
Small Island Ecosystems Program
The Foundation launched its Small Island Ecosystems Program under its Focused Grants Program, which supports forest management strategies in islands with known endemics and land areas of less than 2,000 square kilometers (of which 30% has natural forest cover). This resulted in the approval of a three-year watershed management project with the Municipal Government of Basco, Batanes and research organizations to explore strategies to sustain Mt. Iraya’s ecosystem services.
Kape’t Buhay Program in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental
The Foundation worked with the Philippine Coffee Alliance Inc. to achieve the following in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental:
- Provide technical assistance and training to community partners to establish their respective coffee agroecosystems, advance post-harvest mechanisms, manage their enterprises, and link them to markets
- Empower at least 12 community and indigenous people groups in implementing forest protection, restoration, and governance projects
Community and Forest-based Social Enterprise Development for the Forest Foundation Philippines Focal Areas
The Foundation awarded a grant to Bayan Academy for Social Entrepreneurship and Human Resource Development to support three community-based enterprises in Samar and Palawan This includes:
- Tying the economic productivity of traditional weavers to the sustainable sourcing of raw materials from the forest
- Agroforestry business design for cacao growers
- Strategic marketing campaigns for community-based ecotourism
Strengthening Capacities and Capabilities for Forest Management
The Foundation strengthened its commitment to the multilateral environmental agreements on forest conservation and REDD+ by:
- Providing support for forest management bodies and civil society organizations to actively participate in the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
- Partnering with Climate Focus North America Inc. to support the New York Declaration of Forest (NYDF) Progress Assessment through information and knowledge exchange
Geography of Governance: Landscape and Resource Management
Following through with its partnership with Tropenbos International in 2017, the Foundation launched a national dialogue titled “Geography of Governance: Landscape and Resource Management.” The dialogue served as a multi-sectoral, evidence-based platform for 184 participants to share experiences and enable effective landscape governance.
Mount Mantalingahan Protected Area Landscape (MMPL) Endowment Fund
The MMPL Endowment Fund awarded its first grant to the Institute for the Development of Educational and Ecological Alternatives. The grant aims to amplify environmental awareness of various MMPL stakeholders through institutional, educational, and promotional materials, and engagement through community and school caravans.
Best Friends of the Forest Movement
In March 2018, the Foundation launched its flagship advocacy campaign called the Best Friends of the Forest Movement (#BFFMovement). Implemented in partnership with Team Asia, it aims to inspire the youth (particularly action-oriented environmentalists, travelers, social entrepreneurs, and artists) to be advocates of forest conservation and protection. Its key activities included:
- #BFFTalks, a learning event on forest protection conservation
- #BFFTrails, a beginner forest appreciation trail
- #ForestBloomsPH and #DrawNativeTreesPH workshops, a series of collaborative projects with illustrator and grantee Cynthia Bauzon-Arre to promote the importance of native trees in forest conservation
- Ang Higanteng Haligi sa Hilaga, a stage play by award-winning playwright and grantee Eljay Deldoc that highlights the importance of the forest landscape of Sierra Madre
Explorer Encounters 2018
The Foundation also supported the NatGeo and Masungi Georeserve’s Explorer Encounters 2018 event, which aimed to enhance the storytelling skills of young conservationists.
Administration of the Fund
Consistent with the TFCA 2 Agreement, the Foundation organizes the Board of Trustees’ meeting to discuss grantmaking concerns and review proposals. The BOT met four times in 2018.
In Numbers
- Eighty-five proposals were received in 2018, with 57 of them approved.
- US$ 2,270,140 worth of funding was approved for grants in 2018.
- Disbursed funding increased by 295% from US$ 728,770 in 2017 to US$ 2,156,323 in 2018.
Summary
85
No. of proposals received
57
No. of proposals approved
US$ 2,270,142
Total approved funding for grants
US$ 2,156,323
Total disbursed funding for grants
US$ 1,647,389
Total counterpart match
73%
Total matching funds as % of approved grants
US$ 350,634
Amount spent on indirect costs
US$ 746,303
Interest & capital gained on
investment
US$ 20,649,171
Fund balance at the end of the year